Winter 2026 Season – Rnd 16 Wrap

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ROUND 16

PENNANT ONE: – RED CLIFFS CLUB SHIELD:

Going in to round sixteen and the final round before finals of the Sunraysia Table Tennis pennant, three teams from second to fourth sat on the same points and would fight it out for the double chance. Ladder leader by two wins Regional Taxation Services were safe in first spot and were to play second placed Weightmans Packaging and this was an exciting contest.

– Regional Taxation Services 6 (Jackson Tung Rohan Reimers 2, Lee Leeson 1) d Weightmans Packaging 5 (Jamie Kealley 2, Mark Dorman, Arhuang (Wong) Lau 1)

Weightmans were keen to retain their second position and the treasured double chance and started the match well to take a 3-1 lead, the first doubles was close with the Weightmans pair of Lau subbing for the absent Wayne Carmichael and Mark Dorman taking the first two games against RTS pair Jackson Tung and Rohan Reimers who then fought back to level at two games all, the match produced many fine rallies indicating the players had not lost any touch on resumption after the school holiday break. The fifth saw Lau and Dorman gain the ascendancy and go on to win 11-7 11-9 6-11 8-11 11-8.

In the next block of three singles Regional Taxation Services were successful in two to reduce the deficit to 3-4.  The second doubles was very important and the RTS pair of Tung and Lee Leeson proved too strong winning in three sets and levelling the match at four rubbers all.

The next singles was outstanding when Weightmans Jamie Kealley, subbing for Wayne Carmichael just took the points in a classy three setter over Jackson Tung 11-9 11-9 13-11 a match containing many excellent forehand and back hand shots from two talented players. Weightmans now took a 5-4 lead and were one win away from victory and the important double chance.

RTS number two Rohan Reimers fresh from a lengthy American holiday stepped up to the table against the experienced Mark Dorman and this was a good contest between the two lefties, Dorman gave his team hope winning the first game narrowly, Reimers struck back strongly in the second and the following two games went point for point before Reimers levelled the match at five rubbers all defeating Dorman 8-11 11-4 14-12 12-10.

In the decider RTS number three Lee Leeson outlasted Ed Hung 11-9 12-10 9-11 11-5, Leeson finishing strongly to give her team the four points and a 6-5 victory.

In a consistent season Regional Taxation Services have finished two wins clear from their closest opponent and will go into the finals series as slight favourites in an even competition.

As a result of this narrow loss Weightmans Packaging have dropped from second to third missing out on the double chance and will play Tankard Dental in the knockout semi-final.

– Cookes Pools & Spas 6 (Kate Carmichael 3, Paul Kealley 2) d Tankard Dental 5 (Shannon Bowen 2, Reece Kurrle, Jason Gifkins 1)

By winning their last three matches, the only team to do so, Cookes Pools & Spas have grabbed second position on the ladder with a solid 6-5 win over Tankard Dental who fought hard and had their chances to take the points. Kate Carmichael and Paul Kealley played important roles for Cookes winning three and two singles respectively and they combined to win the first doubles over strong pair Shannon Bowen and Reece Kurrle in a thriller 11-9 11-13 13-11 6-11 12-10, how important this turned out to be.

In an exciting finale to the season and the singles aggregate Carmichael won three singles however did so under extreme pressure after trailing in two five set marathons. The first was against Tankard number two Reece Kurrle who won their previous encounter. In this match the hard-hitting Kurrle blazed away winning two of the first three games, the third was oh so close with Kurrle taking the points 17-15. Despite being under pressure Carmichael was able to lift and with Kurrle continuing the barrage Carmichael raced to victory winning the fourth and fifth 11-3 11-5.

Later with the scores at four rubbers all Carmichael matched up against Shannon Bowen who was one win behind on the singles aggregate. What a match this proved to be with Bowen out of the blocks and in complete command early. Tactically he was outplaying Carmichael, and the match look to be slipping from Carmichael’s grasp. She was able to steady in the third and retain a small lead to stay in the contest. The match went to the fourth and as she did against Kurrle, Carmichael managed to lift a gear and again raced through the fourth and fifth to win in an amazing comeback against a very talented Bowen, 6-11 6-11 11-7 11-2 11-4. Cookes now took a 5-4 lead.

In a further five set contest Cookes number two Paul Kealley lined up against Reece Kurrle and these two talented tennis players fought out an amazing match. Kurrle attempting to level the match score and keep his team in the race for the four points took the first two games before Kealley consolidated and mounted a comeback winning the third and the fourth. Kealley was surviving the powerful forehands of Kurrle and landing some of his own. The fifth was a thriller and Kealley had turned the match and maintained a slight lead going on to win 8-11 8-11 11-6 11-7 11-8. Cookes had won a thriller and as a result jumped from fourth to second to grab the double chance. In all there would be six five set matches indicating how close these teams are.        

– Choices Flooring Mildura 7 (Jamie Kealley 3, Thanh Nguyen, Marcus Cimino 2) d Mallee Bearings 4 (Arhuang (Wong) Lau 2)

It may have taken sixteen rounds however Choices Flooring Mildura have finished the season in winning style by defeating Mallee Bearings 7-4 in a strong finish to gain their first win of the season. With the scores locked at four rubbers all the Choices trio of Jamie Kealley, Thanh Nguyen and Marcus Cimino all won their singles against their opposite numbers.

Kealley scored his first career win over the talented Arhuang Lau in four sets while Nguyen also in four sets accounted for Leon Brown.  At five rubbers all Choices number three Marcus Cimino displayed his best form for the season by defeating the leading number three player Russell Walder 12-10 12-10 11-4. Earlier in the first match of the night Cimino and Leon Brown traded some impressive shots with Cimino winning 10-12 17-15 11-9 11-8 an outstanding match which inspired his team mates to set up their first victory.

For Choices Flooring Mildura Jamie Kealley won three singles to finish sixth on the singles aggregate, while Nguyen and Cimino won two singles each. This being the best return for Cimino for the season. For Mallee Bearings skipper Arhuang Lau won two singles and participated in both doubles’ victories. His team finished fifth on the ladder a couple of wins from playing finals.

PENNANT TWO: 

Choices Flooring Mildura 7 Therese Fitzpatrick (2), Harry Gujral (2), Shiva Rottela (2) defeated Weightmans Packaging 4 Rasin Bhuiyan (3), Andrew Jones (0), David Sergi (0).

Fifth-placed Weightmans Packaging have played their last round of the 2026 winter season and will drop out of the competition as finals kicks off next week. After having lost a dismal 0-11 last round, the team put in a slightly better showing this round with captain Bhuiyan leading the charge, taking out three singles wins.

Rottela started off the evening’s proceedings with a solid win over Sergi, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6. Jones then gave Fitzpatrick a significant amount of trouble in their match, with the latter finally prevailing 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7. Bhuiyan then took the first of his three singles wins by defeating Gujral 11-8, 15-17, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9. In the first doubles match, Weightmans were confident and in control, wrapping the match up in three sets 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, levelling the score at 2 games apiece.

Fitzpatrick then dispatched Sergi confidently enough, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, as Bhuiyan and Rottela faced off in another tense five-setter. Rottela won the first 11-6, Bhuiyan returned fire and took the next two 11-7, 11-3, Rottela stood firm and snatched the fourth 11-9, but he came apart in the fifth, going down 4-11. With the score sitting at 3-3, Gujral stomped all over an unsuspecting Jones, taking the win 11-2, 11-1, 11-4, as his two teammates went into the second doubles. The Choices Flooring duo took the first set 11-7, their opponents the second and third, 11-8, 12-10, and then Choices Flooring got themselves up in the end to win the final two sets, 11-9, 11-8; pulling away from Weightmans at 5-3.

Bhuiyan held off the onslaught from his opponents for one more match, besting Fitzpatrick 11-4, 11-1, 17-15, but it would all be over in the succeeding match wherein Sergi, try though he did, lost to Gujral in straight sets 11-2, 11-6, 11-5, ending the contest at 6-4. In the final rubber, Jones had a crack at Rottela but couldn’t pull it off, going down 8-11, 11-13, 9-11.

Final score 7 rubbers to 4 and 25 games to 16.

Sammy’s Slammers 7 Quentin Clark (2), James Jarvis (2), Ryan Hensgen (1) defeated Pinnacle Packers 4 Duy Truong (3), Peter Midgley (1), Steve Parker (0).

The fourth-placed Sammys Slammers continue to punch above their weight in round 16, taking out the formidable Pinnacle Packers with a 7-4 win.

First up, Hensgen and Midgley faced off with the latter taking the win, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-4. Clark then efficiently took down Parker, 11-4, 11-1, 11-8, whilst Truong did likewise to Jarvis in their match, winning 11-5, 11-7, 11-3. Clark and Jarvis then paired up for the first doubles wherein they lost the first set to Packers, 6-11, but found their footing in the next three sets to come back and win 11-4, 11-7, 15-13.

Clark then brought the score up to 3-2 with a win over Midgley, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7. Hensgen was next on the list for Truong and he scratched him off easily enough, 11-9, 11-3, 11-5, whilst Jarvis and Parker scrapped it out, with Jarvis winning the first two sets, 11-4, 11-5, Parker nabbing the third 11-6, but then Jarvis bringing it home in the end, 11-9. The Sammys then made it 5-3 by taking the second doubles after a brief but tight struggle against Packers, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8.

With the pressure now firmly on, Truong took one last stab at his opponents by defeating captain Clark. Clark took the first set 11-8, the two then went head-to-head in the second with Truong just taking it 12-10, and then he overpowered his opponent in the last two to win 11-7, 11-5. The score now 5-4, it was now up to Midgley to hold the Sammys back, as he faced off against Jarvis. Jarvis opened strong, taking the first set 11-5, Midgley got a look in in the second, winning 11-7, but Jarvis stood his ground and fought Midgley back, ultimately winning 11-6, 11-6. Then with the night’s result decided, Hensgen defeated Parker after a four-set tussle, 11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 12-10.

Final score 7 rubbers to 4 and 23 games to 17.

PENNANT THREE: 

– Cookes Pools & Spas 9 (Koby Grace 3, Peter Fitzpatrick, Yen Hwak 2) d Regional Taxation Services 2 (Sam Campbell, Anthony Fox 1)

Going in to this match top team Cookes Pools & Spas were at full strength while opponents Regional Taxation Services were without aggregate leader Andrew Kremor and number two Brenden Johnson. They were replaced by Samantha Campbell and “money man” Anthony Fox. Good to see Sam playing again after a break from the game.  

Ladder leaders Cookes Pools & Spas continued their impressive season with a commanding 9-2 victory over Regional Taxation Services, claiming 30 games to 14 in a dominant team performance.

It was another standout night for Cookes number two Koby Grace, who was in superb touch, remaining undefeated in his three singles while also combining strongly in the doubles when he combined with skipper Peter Fitpatrick. Koby has finished second in the singles aggregate only two behind winner Andrew Kremor.

Peter Fitpatrick also played well winning two singles as well as tasting success in both doubles, the second doubles was a highlight when Peter combined with number three Yen Hwak to defeat fill in Sam Campbell and Curtis Crabtree 11-5 9-11 10-12 11-4 11-7, an excellent match.  

Yen, the Cookes number three also played well to win two singles unleashing his forceful backhand on many occasions. Yen has played well for his team finishing equal fourth on the singles aggregate, a great achievement for a number three player.

For Regional Taxation Services, Sam Campbell battled hard for her adopted team to win a top class four setter over Peter Fitzpatrick while teammate Anthony Fox thwarted Yen’s attempt to win three singles. Anthony winning impressively 11-7 13-15 9-11 11-5 11-7 a great comeback.

Cookes Pools & Spas proved too consistent and too strong and will be difficult to counter in this week’s finals.

Cookes Pools & Spas 9 defeated Regional Taxation Services 2

Games 30 to 14

– Exposed Signage/Apparel 7 (Karly Leach, Chris Cen 3) d Weightmans Packaging 4 (Sabrina Fitzpatrick, Steve Pongrac, Vicky Gupta 1)

Both teams were without their number three players, and Julian Jones and Vick Gupta came in to play their first matches in the STTA. Julian who is visiting the district is the grandson of long-time pennant two player Andrew Jones. Vick came in to the Weightmans team after coming for a hit on our Monday session.  

Exposed Signage & Apparel claimed a hard-fought 7-4 victory over Weightmans Packaging in an entertaining contest, finishing with 22 games to 15.

Karly Leach led the way for Exposed Signage & Apparel with a flawless performance, remaining undefeated in her three singles while also combining with Chris Cen to win their doubles rubber over Sabrina Fitzpatrick and Steve Pongrac. Chris was equally impressive, also winning all three of his singles, giving his side a strong foundation throughout the night. His win over opposing number one Sabrina was impressive. In his first season Chris has been impressive finishing third on the aggregate winning thirty of his 39 singles.  

For Weightmans Packaging, Sabrina, Steve Pongrac and Vick Gurta each picked up a singles victory however Exposed Signage/Apparel were too good.

Although Weightmans Packaging fought hard and kept several matches competitive, the unbeaten performances from Karly and Chris proved the difference as Exposed Signage & Apparel recorded a well-earned 7-4 win leading into the finals series where they will play top team Cookes Pools & Spas for a spot in the grand final.

Exposed Signage/Apparel 7 defeated Weightmans Packaging 4

Games : 22 to 15

PENNANT FOUR:

Although the standings on the Ladder haven’t changed from the last round, there were quite a few surprise packages in this, the last round. The third placed Weightman’s Packaging put together a comprehensive win over second placed Dunkley Scales and Kym Sykes came very close to losing his first match for the season, being pushed to five sets, by Rod Galvin.

There were two fill in’s needed in Pennant four, with Lewis Hussey filling both holes.

– Mallee Meats 6 (Kym Sykes 3, Jenny Leach 1) d Dunkley Scales 5 (Rodney Galvin, Lewis Hussey 2, Maria Starikov 1)

Mallee – Kym Sykes, Nathan Beard and Jenny Leach. Dunkley – Rodney Galvin, Maria Starikov and (fill in – Lewis Hussey).

After the first bracket of Singles, Dunkley were one up.

These two usually produce numerous lengthy rallies, with both having similar game styles, which are very defensive. Maria took Nathan by surprise with the opening game only allowing Mallee’s number two four points. It was a great come back from Nathan, pinching the second game, before Maria took control and took the following two, marking up Dunkley’s first Rubber.

The first two games between Kym and Lewis set a cracking pace, with some sensational shot making by both, with Lewis making showing off his skills, with some super serves. The third set was clearly won by Kym, finding a way around Lewis, and giving Mallee a Rubber.

Next to face up were the Dunkley Captain and Mallee’s number three. It was a ripper game, with Jen surprising herself, capturing the first set and after a 12/10 battle, the third sets. Rod’s experience came to the four and some excellent placement saw him pocket the fourth. The fifth quickly slipped away from Jen, with Rod holding 7 points to Jen’s zero, before determination saw the Mallee girl fight back to level the score. To Rod’s credit he held the pressure and grabbed the fifth set.

The first Doubles saw Kym and Nathan in a pretty even skirmish with Rod and Maria. Neither team had total control through the match, which played out to five sets. It was the battle of the serves between Kym and Rod, with Maria and Nathan holding up their part of the deal with some well placed winners. The final outcome went the way of Mallee, which put the Rubber count and two each.

Maria started off well against Kym, but couldn’t keep the pressure, with Mallee’s Captain throwing in some tremendous serves, which Maria was unable to get control of, which led to a quick finish, falling to Mallee.

The tables were turned in the following match. With Dunkley’s number one, Rod putting the same pressure on Nathan. It was another three set clash, with Mallee’s number two unable to break through Rod’s barrier.

As hard as Jen tried, Lewis had this game tied up from the start. Not for the want of trying, everything Jen flew over that net, came back one hundred mile and hour, giving Lewis his first win.

At this stage Dunkley had a four to three lead over Mallee, with the second Doubles about to fire up. Kym and Jen paired for the conflict against Rod and Lewis, with the first game tumbling Mallee’s way, with reasonable comfort, but not to be broken, Dunkley’s pair fought on and pinched the second, with a run of shots falling their way. But with a bit of grit, Mallee came home to win the third (14/12) and fourth sets to even the ledger.

In the last Singles bracket, the first to hit the table were Kym and Rod, with some  fantastic Table Tennis being played. It was five sets of well thought out shots and action packed slams. Kym suck in the first, with Rod taking on the challenge to drag in the next two games. Both were totally focused with each player taking full advantage of their serves, before Kym discovered a way to take the win.

The following match would either give Mallee the overall win, or pull things back to even. Jen and Maria were about to wrestle it out, with the last two meetings seeing Maria in total control. But there was a certain amount of grit in Jen’s game on Wednesday, so would this be enough to pull in the win. Well, it was for the first set, but as happens, Maria set about building the renown wall of steel and slipped right back into the match. Trying not to lose focus, Jen pounced early and snared the last two games and winning Mallee’s sixth Rubber.

Nathan stood up well to Lewis in the last match, getting pretty close in the first two games, but Lewis is hard to crack and didn’t loose any time in putting an end to the night, in three sets.

WINNER : Mallee Meats  6  to Dunkley Scales  5.

GAMES : Mallee 21  to Dunkley  22.

– Weightmans Packaging 7 (Glenn Leeson, Jakob Grzan, Lewis Hussey 2) d Tankard Dental 4 (Darren Bottams 3)

Weightman’s – Glenn Leeson, Jakob Grzan and Connor Burnett (Fill-in Lewis Hussey). Tankard’s – Tom Gilmour, Darren Bottams and (Fill-in Lewis Hussey).

Darren’s game has gone ahead in leaps and bounds over the past month or so, but Lewis has also added some very tricky parts to his arsenal, which enabled him to keep Darren on the move. Two comfortable wins in the first two games from Darren looked like it going to be a quick finish to this match, but Lewis pulled out some sneaky serves and blinding smashes to collect an 11/3 win in the third. This must have got the grey matter working for Darren, as he soon turned the pressure on and halted the match at four sets, with a Rubber to Tankard.

Glenn had no trouble with Jakes game, not messing around, with a comprehensive win in a lightening fast three sets.

Weightman’s young gun, Jakob, put Tankards Captain, Tom to the test, only allowing him to take one set. It was a good battel, with a lot of Rallies, but in most of these, Jakob got the upper hand. Tom forced his rival out to nine in the fourth set, but couldn’t hold on.

With Weightman’s holding a 2 to 1 lead, the Doubles were going to count for a lot. Glenn and Jakob were in for a tense match, coming up against Tom and Darren, and all the sets were played close, but after the third it was Tankards win, being written up, bringing the scores back to level.

Glenn and Darren were next to take to the Table and Glenn gave it his best shot, trying his darndest to find a way around Darren’s game, but this was not an easy task, with Tankards number two deciphering the game of Weightman’s Captain, with the final outcome landing seeing Darren wrapping up the match in three sets.

Lewis and Tom’s match was the only one which went all the way to five, with Lewis snaring the first set, Tom the next and so it continued until Lewis took the win. Tom was struggling with the circulation in his hands, so wearing two pairs of gloves wouldn’t have made life easy.

Jake put up terrific fight against Jakob, sneaking the first set from him, which is a feat in itself, as Jakob’s game has come to life again. The following three sets landed with Jakob, as he slowly wore Jake down.

The Glenn and Lewis combination played out to be a swift win, when they claimed the match against Tom and Jake. There were numerous impressive rallies, with Weightman’s notching up a fifth Rubber, giving each team one Doubles win.

It was now time for the Captains to bring home a win for their, but who would be able to hold their focus. A win from Glenn would give Weightman’s victory, a win from Tom would give Tankards some breathing space.

The first game was an easy win for Glenn, but Tom put on his blinkers in the second to end with a 12 / 10 win. It didn’t take long for Glenn to get his memory back and take the pressure off his team, by gathering the required sixth Rubber.

With two more matches to come, Weightman’s needed the percentage to possibly move to second place on the Ladder.

Jakob found it a bit tough, when he had to take his game to the next level, with Darren being the player to beat. Young Jakob did his very best, but this hurdle was too high. Darren’s win gave him three Singles for the night and Tankard gained a fourth Rubber.

The final match put Weightman’s on seven Rubbers. It was Lewis who had the last win, with some excellent play, when he claimed the three sets, over Jake. But Tankards number three certainly played to his max, in the third set, showing how his game is improving.     

WINNER : Weightman’s Packaging  7  to Tankard Dental  4.

GAMES : Weightman’s –  22  to Tankard  17.

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